Tesla driver who was taken to jail after crash later died in hospital, watchdog says

IIO investigators are seen in Vancouver, B.C., in a file image.

A driver who was taken to jail following a crash in downtown Vancouver last year later died in hospital, according to an update from a B.C. police watchdog.

Authorities previously said a black Tesla collided with a parked vehicle on West Georgia Street on the night of Oct. 10, and that responding police took the driver into custody.

After driving him to jail in a police wagon, officers found the man in “medical distress,” according to the Independent Investigations Office.

Paramedics were then called to rush the man to hospital.

On Wednesday, months after the incident, the watchdog confirmed for the first time that the Tesla driver died “shortly after” arriving for treatment.

Asked why the IIO did not share that detail earlier, spokesperson Simon Druker said the watchdog “endeavours to update the public” when someone has died, but that it’s “not always possible to do so immediately.”

“In this case, investigators felt a witness appeal may generate further information at this time,” Druker added.

On whether there’s any concern witnesses will have less recollection of what happened three months after the incident, Druker suggested it was “unlikely” that announcing the Tesla driver’s death earlier would have “changed the accounts of any witnesses as they were pronounced deceased at the hospital and not at the scene.”

No other details about what happened have been shared publicly, including the reasons for the driver’s arrest.

The IIO, which is tasked with investigating any officer-involved incidents that result in death or serious harm, regardless of whether there’s an allegation of wrongdoing against law enforcement, said its work is ongoing.

“To date, IIO investigators have canvassed for evidence, conducted interviews with civilian witnesses and conducted forensic examinations of the vehicles involved,” the watchdog said in its update.

“They are still awaiting the results of medical and other reports for analysis.”

The IIO asked anyone who witnessed the incident or has video relevant to its investigation to come forward, either by calling its witness line at 1-855-446-8477 or emailing [e-mail].